A special meeting was held in Stormont today to discuss a proposed 35,000 seater sports stadium and the Sports Minister said that the GAA would not support any proposal for a Belfast city based site.

Controversy has surrounded the plans for the multi-sports arena to be built on the former Maze prison site with some DUP colleagues of Sports Minister Edwin Poots calling for the national stadium to remain within the city.

Mr Poots said the GAA had ruled out proposed stadia on both the Belfast North Foreshore site and the Titanic Quarter. He also said that the Irish Football Association (IFA) was open to various sites but Chief Executive, Howard Wells, would prefer the Maze.

Another controversial matter discussed at the meeting was the possibility of the Northern Ireland football team having to play several home friendly matches outside the country.

Mr Poots told the assembly that Mr Wells, had warned him there was a real possibility that the team could have to play matches outside the country due to safety concerns over Windsor Park.

The Sports Minister said: “In terms of international football in Northern Ireland, as Sports Minister I would be horrified if we had to play international matches outside of Northern Ireland. As the minister in charge of sport I will do utmost to ensure matches are not played outside of Northern Ireland. However, I cannot give you a guarantee that will not happen."

(SB/SP)